TYLER G. LYNCH
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How did you discover The Palm Springs International Screenplay Awards and how did you decide to enter this contest among all the others?
TL: I found out about the competition through Coverfly and was attracted to the detail that appeared to be put into writers’ work and the commitment to uplifting them.
 
Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
TL: Los Angeles, CA
 
Your script stood out among hundreds of others. What was the inspiration for your story and why did you write a script instead of a short story or a novel? What inspires your overall journey into screenwriting?
TL: It’s a funny story. A few years ago, my best friend and I were camp counselors in the Hamptons and one of her family friends invited us to come babysit for a group of family friends’ kids. When we got there, all the adults started looking at me funny. One of the dads went as so far to ask if I was related to my dad. I was confused as I grew up in Philadelphia and all these families were from New York. I asked what he meant but never got a straightforward answer.
 
Come to find out a few days later from my dad, he reluctantly shared that I had babysat for the friend group of the woman my dad was dating at the time. I can laugh about it now, but at the time I was embarrassed about the situation. So as any writer would, I decided to put that unprocessed trauma into a script instead of therapy.
 
In terms of my overall journey, I’ve realized every time I put a piece of myself, readers like yourselves seem to really latch onto the story. I’m currently working on an anthology book series, “In the Limelight,” that I plan to adapt for TV. In the first book, “Twisted Truths,” I take a darker direction from “What Happens in the Hamptons” where I’m processing through the second-hand grief I experienced through a close relative in a fatal incident through the lens of a 2000s R&B girl group member.
 
I didn’t think that at 24 I would be able to have so many stories of my own to share, but here we are.
 
How do you decide which stories to tell, and what draws you to these particular themes?
TL: I would say the stories I decide to tell come to me. Whenever there’s something I try to force myself to write, I seem to be stuck on it for a while. But if something outlandish happens to me, it’s extremely easy to build a world around it. For example, “Twisted Truths” was originally a musical slasher thriller series that, in short, was “American Idol” meets “The White Lotus.” I was writing it during my MFA program at UCLA about 2 years ago. At the time, it was fun to delve into the world of music and secret societies, but ultimately, I had to let it go since there was no engine.
 
It wasn’t until a few months ago that I decided to focus more on the characters rather than the concept. It was in that realization that my own voice became clear – I can still write about the world of music and the chaos of fame, but in my stories that truly stand out, they explore self-awareness, family dynamics, and mental health - all with hints of nostalgia and levity.
 
These themes all shine through because of the significance they’ve developed in my life as I’ve become more serious about my writing. While I don’t love being vulnerable, it’s much easier to hide behind my characters and figure out life alongside them.
 
What is your typical writing routine? How do you structure your workday to stay productive?
 
TL: Since taking on a full-time job in tech about a year ago, my writing routine has had to adjust as I’ve gotten used to “adulting.” As of May 2025, I try to insert at least 30 minutes of writing after work into my schedule. Certain days are more productive than others. Sometimes, I have enough energy to plan out an entire short script or chapter. Other days, all I can do is do a quick journal entry to either process my day or get in the head of one of my characters.
 
I used to be a strictly “morning writer,” but because my work schedule is a 9-5, I enjoy having the freedom to write after work so there’s no pressure to get ready or be done by a certain time.
 
How long did it take you to write your script...and what is your writing process? Do you outline...use index cards...white board...or just start with FADE IN?
TL: Since I wrote “What Happens in the Hamptons” as part of my MFA coursework, it took me approximately 10 weeks to complete the first draft. But getting it to the draft it is today took approximately a year. In my experience, things always become clearer after stepping away from a project from awhile. I had a refreshed lens when revising the script than before when I was primarily focused on turning it in for a grade.
 
How do you handle writer's block or moments of doubt (we all have them) during your creative process?
TL: If I’m feeling doubt or confusion on one project, I move over to another to at least have another creative outlet. Even if I’m not necessarily trying to develop and submit it to anything, I’m putting energy into something.
 
I also love to consume other art. I genuinely love music. I’m not a singer or musician in any sense, but my best friends are musical artists, and I’ve always gravitated towards singer-songwriters’ journeys. My parents put a love of old school music in me from a very early age, so I feel like that makes up a huge part of how I see myself as an artist.
 
What tools or software do you find essential to your workflow as a screenwriter?
TL: I use Final Draft for all my scripts. From dabbling with other software early on, Final Draft has been the most user-friendly. And given I work in AI, I love using ChatGPT and Claude AI as tools. I never have them write scripts out for me, but I love seeing their suggestions on the direction my stories could go if there’s some logic/plot holes in my current structure.
 
How do you approach competition entries, and what have you learned from participating in these contests? Which contests have you entered...and how has your work been received overall? Have those contests been helpful to you in your writing?
TL: I think writing contests are essential to improving your craft, but I’ve learned there’s a very different response submitting a 1st draft v. a 10th. Rather than just submitting to whatever contests I saw when I was first starting out, I only submit my script when I feel absolutely confident that it’s a strong draft. And not just from my perspective, but from my peers and friends, too. I’m also more diligent around where I submit, particularly researching who the readers are and if the cost is worth it. I would say 75%-80% of the time, it has been.
 
Can you share a specific challenge you've faced in your screenwriting and how you overcame it?
TL: It took me a long time to understand that everything I write isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay. I’ve had a few experiences in both class and coverage where the identities of my characters were questioned. I pride myself on centering Black individuals in my writing and building them up through non-stereotypical context clues.
 
Most of the time, these details are celebrated. But the other times where a professor says they “don’t get it,” or a specific mannerism is nitpicked by a rude reader, that speaks more volumes about them than it does me. Yes, my stories are mainly about Black women, but their stories are universal and can clearly be understood as such when I don’t overtly specify their racial background.
 
If you are balancing your “writing time” with a “day job”...how are you managing that?
TL: I’m managing my day job and writing time much better nowadays. In all sincerity, you make time for what’s most important to you. Of course, some days I’d rather watch some TV or take a nap after work, and I give myself permission to do so. But when there’s a story on my heart and I know needs to be read/seen/heard by others, I can’t just sit idly by until it magically appears. I have to take initiative to make it come into fruition.
 
Where do you see yourself in five years as a screenwriter?
TL: In 5 years, I see myself as a writer, producer, and author. I have a very clear vision of where I want to go with my writing, and that involves me making my own work coming to life by “greenlighting myself” (shoutout to Jerrica Long!) I see myself going on tour with my books and simultaneously developing them for television with the creative tribe I’m gradually putting together.
 
What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?
TL: My ultimate ambition as a writer is to do much more than just writing. I’ve been inspired by Shonda Rhimes and Shondaland practically my whole writing life, Ryan Coogler as a writer-director with “Black Panther” and the explosion of “Sinners,” and Kennedy Ryan as an author of books like “Before I Let Go” and “Reel” who’s also adapting her work for the screen.
I want to make space for the young writers in 5, 10, 15 years and show them what is doable and tangible. This career isn’t easy, but it is so rewarding when you know you’re on the right path.

The film and television industry is constantly evolving. How do you see the role of screenwriters changing, especially with the rise of streaming platforms and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence? Have you used A.I. in your writing; if so, how have you used it?
TL: I don’t see the role of writers changing whatsoever because we will always need the writers’ experience. As someone who works with AI on the daily, it will never be able to replicate the essence of a human.
I understand people are scared, particularly with the developments we see practically every month. But if you’re telling a version of your story, you will always have the right to be heard.
 
Which film or television writers inspire you? Why?
TL: I’m inspired by Ryan Coogler right now because with “Sinners,” it feels like he went into my brain and put everything I love on-screen – vampires, soul music, and the gothic South? Yes please!
 
The way he decided to tell that story inspired me to rework the structure of my novel/TV series. It’s about pulling people in with something attractive (vampires), then telling the story you really want to tell (ownership, cultural vampirism/appropriation, the universal language and connection of music and dance).
 
What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show?
TL: All-time favorite show (currently) is “The Last of Us.” I’m not a gamer, but I love how they were able to create such an emotional relationship between Joel and Ellie in a world run by zombies. I always love finding stories in the unexpected.
 
What advice do you have for aspiring screenwriters or filmmakers?
TL: You have the vision to be a writer for a reason. The journey may look different for everyone, but your voice and stories deserve to be told. As keep moving forward – always.
 
What else are you working on that the world needs to know about? (links to your projects?)
TL: As I shared earlier, I’m working on a book series called “In the Limelight” that I plan to adapt for TV. I’m currently writing the first book, “Twisted Truths,” but have a short film version in pre-production so stay on the lookout for that!

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